[ 55 ]
to him, not only by private Writers, but even by Laws, becauſe I think it has been carried much too high. I would have them live ſo far upon the Level, as (according to my conſtant Leſſon) to be governed both by Reaſon. If the Man's Reaſon be ſtronger, or his Knowledge and Experience greater (as 'tis commonly ſuppoſed to be) the Woman will be obliged upon that Score to pay a Deference and ſubmit to him."
It ſeems to me from hence, that Mr. Wollaſton, founds all Authority in the wedded State upon a Superiority of Reaſon; therefore let that Superiority happen on either Side, the ſame Conſequence muſt follow from it, and no Doubt, as the World now is, it would generally fall to the Men; they having the Advantages of Univerſities, publick Negotiations, and a free unconſtrained Converſe with Mankind, in Purſuance of their ſeveral Profeſſions, Arts, and Occupations.
But if we argue from a State of Nature, we muſt conſider the Abilities of each Sex, antecedently to theſe accidental Advantages; and we do not ſee in Fact, that, amongſt the vulgar unlearned People, Men are ſo much wiſer than Women, as to induce us to ſuppoſe that their natural Endowments are much greater.
Yet
